One
foot on
South Padre Island and
you know why it is becoming a
preferred destination for visitors
from all across America and the
world. Things can't get any more
tropical in Texas than on this
30-mile long barrier island just off
the coast of the tip of Texas.
With some of the most beautiful
sunsets in America, South Padre
Island offers a comfortable winter
climate with temperatures rarely, if
ever, reaching the freezing mark.
Fishing, sailing, beach combing,
long walks on a deserted beach -
these are but a few of the favorite
activities for winter visitors.
Also noted
for it's very active spring break
season, South Padre offers a little
bit of everything for just about
everyone in the family.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark offers
a great watery theme park adventure
for all ages. Also of interest is
the new Beachcomber's Museum and the
Dolphin Research Center, favorite
stops for visitors to the island.
With 33-miles of pristine beach, the
Gulf side of the island offers
plenty of water and water-related
sports. Surfing, sailboarding,
kiteboarding, parasailing, and wave
running are just a few of the
activities available along the
beach. The Laguna Madre borders the
western edge of the island and is
also a pristine and unique
ecological zone that offers habitat
to wildlife of every kind.
The island is home to the U.S. Coast
Guard with a regional base located
on the island's southern end. Pan
American University also operates
the Coastal Studies Laboratory on
the island, a fully equipped
research center for marine and
coastal studies. The lab is open to
the public select days of the week.
Cameron County Parks Department operates a number of beach and park
facilities on the island, some
including public boat ramps. Isla
Blanca County Park and Andy Bowie
County Park are two of the local
favorites.
If angling is your thing, you'll
find plenty of opportunity to wet a
line on one of several public piers
on the island. Most piers charge a
nominal fee for useage. There are
also plenty of bay fishing and
off-shore fishing guides and charter
services available all across the
island and in nearby Port Isabel.
The South Padre Island Golf Club is
located nearby on the mainland in
Laguna Vista offering a challenging
18-hole course for skilled golfers
and beginners alike.
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